Kind Words Vignette Tray

Hello Friends,

Gosh, my week has gotten away from me. I had to have one of my wisdom teeth extracted (yes, I still had them all until Monday!) so Monday and Tuesday were all about taking it easy. I read a book I got for Christmas, organized a few drawers in my craft room and watched some episodes of Top Chef (like in the daytime!). For me, that's taking it slow and easy. But now I'm good and back to business (although still eating soft foods).

Another project today featuring the new Distress Color, Scorched Timber. I did not take photos of how I made this project so what are seeing today is me recreating the inked background I made for the project. I've also added some other information and a variation, just because wanted to try it. So lets get started!

I am using the small Vignette Tray which is about 9" tall and 4 1/2" wide.  I use Scorched Timber Distress paint to paint the entire Tray, except for the center of the tray that will be covered with paper. Once the paint was completely dry, I lightly sanded the edges, then added a coat of Collage Medium to give the wood a more finished look.

While the paint was drying, I cut a piece of Distress Watercolor cardstock just bigger than the opening of the tray (9 x 4 1/2") - I will trim to fit before adding to the tray.

I am using the Tim Holtz Crest Stencil and Distress Grit Paste Opaque for this project. I spread the paste over the crest image from the bottom to the top, because this stencil has tiny parts in the leaves that will bend the wrong direction if you pull the paste down. So just spread the paste upwards!

Wash the stencil and palette knife immediately or place in a water bath.  You will need let the Grit Paste dry (at least 20-30 minutes) then repeat the stencil on the right side.

Since I needed to wait for the paste to dry, I cut another piece of Watercolor cardstock and repeated the stenciling, but this time I used Texture Paste Opaque.

You really can see the difference in the two pastes in this close up. 

I wanted to try this comparison so I could see how the two pastes react to the ink that will be added once the paste is completely dry.

Gather the supplies you will need:

Distress Spray Stain: Antique Linen and Scorched Timber

Distress Sprayer full of water

Multiple Paper Towels

Heat Tool

*I will add my Media Surface Mat over my Glass Media Mat before I start.

I wanted to show you this image (It won't effect what I do when I start with the sprays). I just wanted you to see why sprays are important. If you use an ink pad, it's very difficult to get the ink around the paste Especially in this case, where there is a lot of tiny spaces to fill.  Just something to remember when using paste. Now on to the real deal...

This is really about layers so when you spray in the ink, don;t cover the entire surface of the Watercolor cardstock.  Much better to spray in layers!

1. Spray ink (I like to spray the ink, then spray with water to move the ink)
2. Dry with heat tool (don't cook the paper, just dry for 30 seconds or so between layers)
3. Blot of excess ink 
4. Repeat steps (probably 3 times)

Round One

Round One when dried and blotted.

*only Scorched Timber

Round Two

More of a splatter, rather than a spray (done by pushing down slowly)

Also spraying Antique Linen over any white areas.

Round Two when dried and blotted.

Round Three

Another splatter of Scorched Timber

Round Three when dried and blotted.

And just because they were there... I pressed the paper into some of those small ink droplets on the right. Then dried the paper again.

So here is the final layered paper.

I repeated the steps with the second Texture Paste card.  Scroll down to see the difference in the two pastes. Absolutely fascinating...

The Grit Paste works as a resist to the Distress Ink and the Texture Paste soaks it in.  Same exact steps leading up to this result. Both are great and either would work for the next step with the Foundry Wax.  I think you could use less Foundry Wax with the Texture Paste or at least more random. 

I'm going to continue this project with the Grit Paste background. 

*I will save the Texture Paste background for another project, since its way too grungy good to pass up. 

For the next step, you will need a thin brush, Foundry Wax (I'm using Statue, but Gilded will work too), a wet wipe and a bit of Isopropyl Alcohol to clean your brush.

Shake the Foundry Wax until you hear the mixing ball. Squeeze a small amount on the Media Mat (it will not damage your mat).  Foundry Wax dries quickly so it's important to work with a small amount at a time. Use the small brush to add the Foundry Wax over one area. As you are painting the paste, you will notice a build up of Wax on the brush. Just wipe it off the brush using a wet wipe, then continue painting.

Melt the Foundry Wax with an Embossing Tool. It melts very quickly so keep your eye on it. I like to tilt the paper to the light so I can see when it turns from dull to shiny. 

Repeat the steps to paint the entire image:

1. Shake (always with the cap on)
2. Pour out a small amount
3. Paint quickly
4. Wipe off brush when there is build up
5. Use Embossing Gun to melt

Squeeze out another puddle of Foundry Wax. You will also need your Splatter Brush.

Use the Splatter Brush to add splatter over all dark areas of Scorched Timber. It's hard to see here since it has not been embossed yet.

But once it has, it's like magic. Dull to glowing gold!

Use Isopropyl to clean the brush. So EASY!!

*You can see under the yellow cap that my Media Mat has soaked up the isopropyl.  Don't worry, as soon as the area dries, it will be gone.

Next, I used Scorched Earth Distress Crayon to scribble over the image. 

I have just scribbled over the leaves on the right.

On the left, I have scribbled and rubbed it into the image. If you get to much, just pounce with a wet wipe. 

Just as a comparison, you can see the image on the left is done and the image on the right has no crayon added (yet). Both work, it just depends on what kind of depth you want.

At this point, the paper was trimmed to size and added to the center of the Vignette Tray with Collage Medium.

Next step, the collage.

These are some of the pieces that are found in the collage I created.  You will be able to spot them when looking at the final photos.

NOTES: 

• I cut the clouds out and placed behind the Quote Chip Label. You could use as is but since I was highlighting the background, it made since to fussy cut the clouds.
• In the final piece, the Quote Chip is underneath the transparency.
• I also fussy cut the bird to get rid of the white edge.
• The Etcetera Trim was painted with Scorched Timber before being added to the bottom of the Window Frame with Scor-tape.
• To color the Mummy Cloth, I made a Scorched Timber ink puddle. I shredded the Mummy Cloth and lightly set it in the ink for a second or two before drying. My goal was to only get the ink in random places.

I added the transparency to the frame.  Then added the Etcetera Trim piece at the bottom of the frame (you can see this in later photos).

The fussy-cut clouds have two thin foam squares to raise it just a bit from the background. I also peeled off a bit of the chipboard backing of the Quote Chip, so it would fit between the Transparency and the clouds.

The frame was raised from the back with multiple sets of double stacked standard 3D foam squares.

The cluster with the bird is very loose, meaning anything goes. I wrapped the vintage lace around the stick, then added the stick to the frame with Collage Medium. Once secure, I added the Mummy Cloth, then the dyed flowers, more lace bits and the pearls. The bird and another Curator label were added next.

The vintage button was added with hot glue.

I stitched the tiny Curator labels, leaving the strings long. I used Collage Medium to add them to the background, then hammered a nail right into the wood tray.

This is a special piece. I love the depth that Scorched Timber gave to the overall feel! It will be fun to think about what I want to do with the Texture Paste sample I have leftover from the experiment. Time will tell!

Now carry on,

paula

Dream Big Vignette Tray

hello friends,

What an exciting weekend it has been!  The new Distress color Salvaged Patina is spectacular!  Sorta green, sorta blue depending on what surface you lay it over...really, just a dreamy color to add to the Distress palette.  It has been such a wonderful color to work with because it pairs so well with MANY other colors. For the LIVE on Saturday, about 20 samples were made by 4 makers (including myself) which we will be posting over the next few weeks.   If you missed the Live on Saturday you can watch a replay by clicking on the link on Tim's blog HERE. In the LIVE, Tim shows how this new color fits into the current Distress palette, shares the 20+ samples, and then shows a few techniques using the new color.  Totally worth your time.

Lets talk about my first project, a small Vignette Tray turned upside-down, to use the back as the front.  One of my favorite ways to use a tray because it can go directly from my desk to the wall when i'm done!

Lets get started:

Tear Collage Paper and add it to the small Vignette Tray with Collage Medium.  Add layer of CM over the top to create an almost transparent look over the wood tray.

Once dry, sand away the excess paper.

Add a few paint drops of Salvaged Patina onto the surface of the tray.

Wipe across the surface with your finger (you could always use a brush if you don't like touching paint).

Dab with a wet wipe to reveal some of the pattern in the Collage paper.

Flick more Salvaged Patina paint over the surface with a Distress Splatter Brush.

I dried the paint and then added Kitsch Flamingo Oxide Spray (remember to shake it up before use and wipe the nozzle after).  When you slowly push on the sprayer, you get a dribble effect and that is exactly what I was going for.  If you are unsure how much pressure to use, test on a paper towel beforehand.

Just a few sprays over the surface.

Then a just a bit of water with the Distress sprayer.

I used my heat tool begin to dry the Oxide, turning the tray on its side to allow the paint to move.

This is what it looked like after drying and leaving it to sit for a while.

More layers:
This time I dribbled Salvaged Patina Oxide, Fossilized Amber, and Kitsch Flamingo.

Then I started to dry with a heat tool.

Because the surface of the tray was sealed with the Collage Medium (when we added the Collage Paper), the Oxide is harder to dry.  You can see where the hot pink might look dry, but it's not.  

I determined to leave the tray on my desk overnight (which I did). The next day when I came back to it, it appeared dry but if I touched the Oxide it left reside on my fingertips.   Only one thing is going to fit that...

The answer is to spray with a fixative.  I have talked about this product before and really everyone who works in art should own a can because it is a problem solver.  I have linked the Krylon version, but any spray fixative will work.  It can easily be found at any craft store in the art department.

This is what it looked liked once dried overnight and sprayed with the fixative.  What an easy fix!  Literally the time it took to walk to the garage, spray and walk back to the craft room = less than 5 minutes.

Back to the Splatter Brush...this time white paint splatter.  The white makes all the other colors pop!

Building the collage

Adhere the Curio Frame to the right of the tray.

Adhere some shredded cheesecloth and 3 double stacks of foam squares.

Tint the Paper Doll with Distress Crayons (this girl is from the new Solos pack). I used Fossilized Amber for her dress, scribbled directly onto the dress, then rubbed away with my finger till it was almost transparent.  A POSCA Pen with a bullet tip was used to add the white dots and stripes on her clothes.

I die cut the "Scribbly Butterfly" wings using Distress Watercolor paper (love the thickness), then used the Distress Embossing Dabber to coat the wings before adding the Salvaged Patina Glaze. Once melted with an embossing gun, the wings are ready for more color.

I added mica (you could use plastic) behind the butterfly wings, then scribbled Picked Raspberry and Fossilized Amber Distress Crayon over the mica.  I rubbed the crayon with my finger to make it more translucent so once she is in the collage, you will be able to see hints of pattern through the wings.

Adhere the paper doll to the Curio Frame using the foam square stacks you added perviously.

Choose a Quote Chip and cut to size. I purposely chose a short quote so it would not stick out too much. At this point, she looked perfectly fine and I almost ended this way.  But then decided to add something to add more black to the piece and make you focus on her face...so in came the black and white ephemera from the Layers Urban pack. I love all the bullseye type pieces in that pack!

There is also some added vintage dictionary paper added to either side of the Curio Frame.   

A flower from the Worn Wallpaper Scraps was cut out for an embellishment. I clipped the petals and used the Sizzix Shaping kit to mould the flowers to appear more realistic.

Then to add "a cherry on top" sorta speak, I cut out a small chipboard crown to add to her head.  I covered the chipboard with metal foil tape then added some Alcohol Ink.

The crown was added over her head with a foam square.  Of course you could have stopped once she was on the collage but the added the extras made this really special.

This Paper Doll with the leaning stance is my favorite!  She is just so fun to work with.

I hope you enjoyed todays Salvaged Patina project.  I will be back with more projects this week, so stay tuned!

Thank you for stopping by today. I appreciate all the support in following and reading my blog.
Now carry on,
paula